Retired UFC star Dustin Poirier was arrested in Georgia over the weekend on a misdemeanor public drunkenness charge.
The 37-year-old was taken into custody on June 21 and booked by the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office at 6:38 p.m., according to court records. He was charged with one count of public drunkenness, and if convicted faces up to one year in jail or up to $1,000 in fines, or both.
The mixed martial artist was subsequently released on bail and had his first court appearance on June 22. Details on the circumstances surrounding his arrest were not immediately released.
“Love you all,” Poirier wrote in response to the arrest on his Instagram stories. “I’m working on myself.”
Poirier’s arrest comes less than a year since the former UFC interim lightweight champion stepped away from the sport. In a recent interview on the The Ariel Helwani Show, he opened up about his alcohol habits post-retirement and his intent to dial back.
“I had retired and had so much time on my hands, and I’m always battling something in my mind,” he told the popular combat sports podcast host. ”I’ve always drank alcohol growing up, but [it was] celebratory, like on vacation, get-togethers, things like that.”
“[Now I’m] retired, and I’m sitting at home, and I can have a drink every day,” he continued. “I don’t have to wake up and run miles, I don’t have to wake up and go to the gym, or be somewhere. I just wanted to pull back from drinking.”
The Epoch Times contacted Poirier’s representatives for comment but did not immediately hear back.
Known to fans as “The Diamond,” Poirier holds a professional MMA record of 30 wins, 10 losses, and one no contest. Sixteen of his victories came by knockout, while seven were earned by submission.
Over the last decade, the Lafayette, Louisiana, native competed in a number of groundbreaking bouts with some of the biggest names in MMA, including Conor McGregor, Justin Gaethje, Max Holloway, Eddie Alvarez, Anthony Pettis, and Michael Chandler.
Poirier shares two children with his wife of 17 years, Jolie Poirier, after the pair met in middle school. Outside of the octagon, the couple are involved in charitable work through their nonprofit The Good Fight Foundation.
Established in 2018, the organization helps underserved communities in their Louisiana hometown, raising thousands of dollars in proceeds for food, health care, and environmental disaster relief.
